The Repository continues to acquire significant historic resources.  Our collections team is working diligently to process and make available the excellent recent acquisitions.  One of the most significant is a second collection of excellent photographs from the estate of the late beloved Richard Ralston, Sr.  We have also had some other great photographs given to us and  are busy cataloging them and finding many applications for their use. There is always a great need at the Repository.  Of course volunteer assistance is certainly at the top of the list.  It is also very expensive to maintain the collection with correct archival processing and storage. 
   As we indicated in last year’s newsletter, we were able, with a grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation and the Lillian C. Gibson trust fund to finally acquire funding for the designated computer and software to begin the task of electronic registration for our vast collection.  It will be a long and costly process transferring our hand written data records to electronic files, both in time and financial terms.  We must make this transition to computer electronics since the collection has become so vast that it is becoming more and more difficult to locate any particular item when needed.  After all, our collection reflects years of accumulation and covers many archival types including photographs, maps, letters, legal documents, business and personal memorabilia, three dimensional artifacts, and general research content.  We draw from this collection constantly in preparing exhibits, publications, programs, and in assisting the general public.  We have lots of local and out of town individuals who are seeking family or local history information.  It will be very worthwhile to be able to call up electronic indexes regarding any Upshur County history topic.  Of course, having the hardware and software is just the beginning and we will appreciate your generous support in funding the manpower that this work will require.
   Archival storage supplies are very costly since they must have the special qualities that protect the artifact and, at the same time, remain stable for many years.  Acid free, ultraviolet protecting, materials are quite expensive and if you would like to make a donation, say of a hundred dollars or more, to allow us to maintain a constant stock of these supplies, please contact us.
   We are counting on you for your financial assistance with these projects.  Please let us know which project you would like to consider funding.
   It does take an enormous amount of work to make the Repository a professionally operated research center, artifact and document collection, and center of the Society’s office operations.  A small, but very dedicated, core of workers including Veneda Mills Gower ( who records all memberships, sales, prepares bank deposits, and much more), Ina Maye Bean (our chief collections processor), Amy W. Tenney, Noel W. Tenney, Brent Scott, Melinda Larson, Michael Phillips, Robert Cottrell, Don Henderson, Jr., and Kathleen Daugherty, all make up that team.  We are extremely pleased to have the continuing assistance of Karon King, Lemoyne Wentz, Billie Drost, and Jean Childress who add their contributions to our publication and research efforts. Their results are evident with ongoing additions to our publications list each year. 
   We would welcome your volunteer contribution to help with the many tasks of collection processing, research, and general repository duties.   Many individuals who have given collections in the past continue to add valuable items over and over.  We are now in a position at the Repository to receive a wide variety of materials that relate to the rich history of Upshur County.

PLEASE! DON’T THROW ANYTHING AWAY THAT MIGHT SPEAK TO SOME ASPECT OF OUR COUNTY HISTORY UNTIL YOU LET US HAVE A LOOK.